Virtual AtoNs make mariners aware of an incident or hazard by marks presented on an electronic display, providing a timely warning of an incident before physical aids are deployed.

Not a physical AtoN

AIS broadcast by Base Station or other AIS equipped AtoNMessage 21: Aids-to-Navigation Report (carries AtoN position information) with virtual flag

Appears at specified location on the vessel's ECDIS, radar or other navigation display

Clearly marked as Virtual AtoN

Incidents can be marked in a timely manner before physical AtoNs are deployed

Virtual AtoNs Applications:

New wreck

Uncharted hazard

Virtual shipping lanes

Floating debris

Duration until:

replaced by real buoy;

charted;

wreck removed or dispersed

The figure shows an AIS base station which transmits information aboutvirtually marked hazards to a vessel. The bubble gives an indication of howthe information received will be displayed on a ship's ECDIS.